Who built Semblançay castle?

The site was first fortified by Foulques Nerra in the 10th century, then a square keep was erected in the 12th century. In the early 16th century, Jacques de Beaune had buildings added and the defences strengthened.

Can you see the original keep?

Yes, the ground floor and first story of the 12th-century square keep remain visible, along with the vestiges of the two walls that surrounded it.

What makes this castle militarily distinctive?

Its isolation on a rock surrounded by water and its double line of walls flanked by towers, a defensive system reinforced in the 14th century with a fortified wooden bridge providing sole access.

Château de Semblançay

Semblançay Castle

Semblançay

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Semblançay

To make a day of it

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Sleep nearby

This week in the agenda

Château de Semblançay stands in Semblançay (Indre-et-Loire), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: 12th century, 14th century, 16th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

Semblançay castle stands on a rocky outcrop encircled by a pond, fortified from the 10th century onward by Foulques Nerra. A square keep built in the 12th century was later surrounded by a double line of walls in the 14th century, and in the early 16th century Jacques de Beaune added a manor house and chapel. The remains include sections of the original keep, two concentric fortifications flanked by towers, and the footprints of residential structures.

What to know

The site is listed as a historical monument since 1947 and can be visited as an open-air archaeological site.
The keep retains its ground floor and first story from the medieval structure.
The pond surrounding the rock and the remains of the fortified wooden bridge of the north curtain wall are the most visible defensive features.
Fragments of 16th-century residential buildings survive as partial walls, evidence of Jacques de Beaune's modifications.

Where this château is

Semblançay · Indre-et-Loire · Centre-Val de Loire

Map of the area around Château de Semblançay

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Semblançay, Indre-et-Loire

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00098106
Period of construction: 12th century, 14th century, 16th century

Itineraries

Frequently asked

Who built Semblançay castle?: The site was first fortified by Foulques Nerra in the 10th century, then a square keep was erected in the 12th century. In the early 16th century, Jacques de Beaune had buildings added and the defences strengthened.
Can you see the original keep?: Yes, the ground floor and first story of the 12th-century square keep remain visible, along with the vestiges of the two walls that surrounded it.
What makes this castle militarily distinctive?: Its isolation on a rock surrounded by water and its double line of walls flanked by towers, a defensive system reinforced in the 14th century with a fortified wooden bridge providing sole access.